Ready for classes??

As I get ready for the Bears to win against the Broncos, I realize that our preseason is also all but over. This weeks post will be short and to the point. Welcome to the big show ladies and gentleman...the semester has begun. Instead of rambling, I have 5 quick tips as we get started.

Annie's survival guide:
1. Show up 5 to 10 minutes early and introduce yourself to as many people as possible.
2. Get ahead from the beginning. The workload tends to be lighter, why not read a chapter ahead.
3. Get a calendar together ASAP with all your tests and assignments.
4. Sit next to people you don't know during your classes. You'll see and talk to your mates after class, but expand those horizons as much as possible.
5. Social networking rocks! Invite a classmate out after class.

So, with that riveting insight, let's move on to this weeks question.
What tips would you have in your survival guide?

The Three B's!

Here is the deal, we have a lot to cover, the semester is exactly one week away. AHHH! Did that fly by for anyone else? So, I am going to try to cram in as much information as possible into this blog, by highlighting the three all important B's: Busing, Books, and Booze. Well, at least two out of three are important, but just consider the third an important and relevant form of social networking.

Here we go...

Busing
This was a question asked last week and one I wanted to share with everyone. Yes, an amazing perk to being a UWM student is the U pass, which after August 23rd means all students can ride for free. Believe it or not there are 9 direct routes to UWM, 3 park and ride lots, and 3 U park lots. All of this is available here. Now, what have been my personal experiences. I love the bus, it takes me right from work. But, this is a nail biting option if you have a 5:30 class and your bus is supposed to arrive at 5:25 p.m. Let's just say you should leave yourself plenty of time. So, you do not want to cut it close, there are several parking solutions. First, the two main lots: Lubar and the Student Union. Here you pay: about 5 or 6 bucks a night depending on how long you stay. Street parking is not bad either, I personally have had a lot of success parking on Downer, just south of campus, here hourly parking stops at 4 p.m. Getting to UWM is definitely a little bit of a puzzled maze, but after a few weeks you'll get your routine down.

Books
Believe it or not, all your courses should already have a book list, available at the campus bookstore online. Now, if you want to save some money shop around now for online offers or comment below and see if any veterans of the program have some books to loan.

Booze
Okay, a bit of a stretch, but all good things come in threes. Pretty much most class nights look for a few non profit students at the Gasthaus. Enjoying a beer and some good conversation. Please join us!

Alrighty, that leaves us this this weeks question:

For new students any further housekeeping type questions? And for our old fogies...What has worked best for you?

NLSA Networking

Today I am in recovery mode after a fun filled afternoon with my NLSA folks. Who knew yard games, a grill, and rock band could equal such madness. Seriously, we had such an amazing time that it makes me want to write about some of the lighter moments we have as graduate student students. Our program is small and that can be a blessing or a curse, but so far I have counted my blessing far more. Seeing familiar faces in classes makes the work easier and the networking plentiful. So, I want to give a few personal examples:

Networking NLSA style:
-- The Boys and Girls Club has been visited by the Wisconsin Honey Queen twice thanks to Jim Piechowski.
-- Molly Collins put me in contact with her boss at Variety Children's Charity, which benefited from a penny fundraiser we did at school.
-- Thanks to a NLSA event I saw my first UWM Men's Basketball game.
-- Thanks to a funding grant through NLSA I will be attending a professional conference in Cleveland.

The bottom line is that prior to coming to Milwaukee, I was a Chicago girl who felt a little out of place. Through my contacts at UWM, I now feel like I know soooo many more people and have social events to balance my academic schedule.

So, this weeks question:
What have you gained from being in NLSA and in the nonprofit community at UWM? OR What types of things are you looking for (Anything from a good restaurant to a job)?

Classes - Can I have an elective with that?

Okay, I am going to attempt to tackle the very reason we are hear: Classes! A few important points. If you only want to read two sentences then here it is -- Plan ahead and be inventive and creative with your electives.

-- First, the basics:
The M. S. in Nonprofit Management and Leadership degree requires satisfactory completion of 39 credits of graduate-level course work including 27 credit-hours of required or "constrained choice" courses and 12 credit-hours of elective courses.


The 27 required courses.

Introductory Course (3 cr)

One of the following three courses (students may not receive credit toward the degree for more than one of these courses)

BusMgmt 718 Concepts and Practice of Nonprofit Management

Pol Sci 789 Theory and Role of Nonprofit Organizations

Sociol/Pol Sci/Urb Std 704 Seminar in Nonprofit Organizations

Core Courses (21 cr)

BusMgmt 721 Fundraising and Development for Nonprofit Organizations

BusMgmt 724 Accounting for Nonprofit Organizations

BusMgmt 725 Governance and Executive Leadership of Nonprofit Organizations

Pol Sci 792 Decision-Making Methods for Nonprofit and Public Organizations

Pol Sci 793 Law of Nonprofit Organizations

One of the following three courses:

Bus Adm 766 Marketing for Nonprofit Organizations

Pol Sci 705 Professionals and Volunteers in Nonprofit Organizations

Pol Sci 791 Nonprofit Advocacy and Public Policy

One of the following eight courses:

AdmLdsp 777 Leadership in Multicultural Organizations

Bus Adm 441 Diversity in Organizations

Bus Adm 733 Organizational Development

BusMgmt 706 Managing in a Dynamic Environment

BusMgmt 707 Information Technology for Competitive Advantage

Pol Sci 958 Seminar in Public Administration: Managing Change in Public and Nonprofit Organizations

Sociol 780 Race and Ethnic Relations

Capstone Course (3 cr)

BusMgmt 730 Strategic Management and Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations

This course will serve as the integrative "capstone" requirement for the program and must be taken after completing all other required courses (or concurrently with the final required courses).

Now, because we are a smaller newer department, it is necessary to plan ahead somewhat. Know what classes are offered and when. Literally, plan a little schedule for yourself especially if you plan to take a semester off. Talk to Lisa or a veteran in the program, please don't be shy, because you may find yourself 3 credits shy of graduation and waiting an extra semester to graduate.

-- Second, the 12 electives:

The list is available on the UWM site, but here are a few things to remember. For most of the required courses that offer a choice of three or eight, the courses you do not take can also be taken as an elective. However, you are not restricted to only the approved electives, you can ask permission to take an additional class. You also can do independent research projects with professors.

-- Finally, this weeks question:

What has been your favorite class in the Nonprofit program? And then any additional comments you might have?

Mordecai Lee's Nonprofit Seminar (Adam Weise)
"The work load varies tremendously by the teacher."

Nonprofit Law (Andrea Luecke)
"Take the intro course in your first semester.
Take electives that challenge you. Be versatile (I took several urban
planning courses and found them to be extremely thought provoking).
And, of course, the more you put into grad school the more you get out
of it."

Resources Galore

Wow, August is already here and that means fall semester begins in one month. Thanks to all those who contributed to the first inaugural blog. Once again, simply click on the comments section to see what was said and to contribute yourself.

On to this weeks topic. Resources. Coming from a small liberal arts college in Indiana, I was a little daunted at the idea of "figuring out" all the ins and outs of the University. In some cases graduate students at UWM are bats who sweep in at night and then go home immediately after. For others, there are literally hundreds of things to see, places to go, and perks to take advantage of while pursuing your advanced degree.

Here are just a few:
Things to see - Pantherfest (a huge fall concert), UWM Plays and Theatre Productions, Sporting Events, and Several Galleries all over campus. Also, every Thursday there is live music in the basement of the union.

Places to go - Basement of the Union (There is a pool hall, ping pong room, a bowling alley to take family and friends, and a restaurant/bar called the Gausthouse). The Writing Center (Attached to the library, you can visit tutors who help give another eye to important papers).

Perks - A free Milwaukee County Bus Pass, BOSS (Safe ride program that will take you to your car or home if you are near campus), Access to library books in every single University library across the state.

So, that leaves us to this weeks question: What did I miss?
For returning students: What are the resources you have best utilized? For new students? What kind of things to you expect from UWM?

Also, last but certainly not least, there is a end of the summer/back to school BBQ at my house.
All are welcome. RSVP via email or the facebook invite. Hope to see you there.